Retrospective Study
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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 14, 2014; 20(46): 17491-17497
Published online Dec 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i46.17491
Analysis of risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy
Qi-Yu Liu, Wen-Zhi Zhang, Hong-Tian Xia, Jian-Jun Leng, Tao Wan, Bin Liang, Tao Yang, Jia-Hong Dong
Qi-Yu Liu, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First People’s Hospital of Kunming, Kunming 650031, Yunnan Province, China
Wen-Zhi Zhang, Hong-Tian Xia, Jian-Jun Leng, Tao Wan, Bin Liang, Tao Yang, Jia-Hong Dong, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to designing and conducting the study, and to writing the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Hong-Tian Xia, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing 100853, China. xiahongtian115@sina.com
Telephone: +86-871-63188200-6016 Fax: +86-871-63188091
Received: March 17, 2014
Revised: April 25, 2014
Accepted: August 13, 2014
Published online: December 14, 2014
Processing time: 275 Days and 19.6 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: While pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains the only curative option for some benign and malignant diseases of the pancreas peri-ampullary region and head, it is inherently difficult and associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The most important factor of morbidity and mortality following PD is the appearance of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). The Chinese PLA General Hospital performs 200 to 400 PD procedures per year. Analysis of our case series showed that a pancreatic duct diameter ≤ 3 mm is an independent POPF risk factor. External stent drainage of pancreatic secretion may reduce mortality of clinically relevant-POPF and alleviate POPF severity.